Malaysia

Malaysia at the Heart of Asia

Among all Asian countries, Malaysia sounds the most Asian. If you didn’t know better, you would think the word “Asia” came from Malaysia. That may not be the case but if it were, it wouldn’t be a bad thing since the country boasts of many resources and treasures to represent the entire continent very well. Here are just a few things that set Malaysia apart from its neighbors:

“A tall order.”
For six years, Malaysia is famous for having the tallest building in the world. The Petronas Towers were nearest to the clouds until Taipei 101 was built in 2004. Yet, the Petronas is still the tallest twin-towers today, and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the country and in the world.

“The old meets the new.”
While the Petronas is a symbol of elite modern architecture, Malaysia is also home to the world’s oldest British settlement, which is found in the city of Penang. In other words, Malaysia is a mixture of the old and the new. In Penang, you can’t get enough of nostalgic Georgetown, Fort Cornwallis, Penang Hill, and Kek Lok Si Temple, among other attractions. This is also the home of the Penang free school, the oldest English school in Southeast Asia.

“Bigger is better.”
The world’s biggest flower, Rafflesia, and the world’s largest cave chamber, Sarawak Chamber,are both found in Malaysia. To give you an idea on how big the Sarawak Chamber is, just imagine that a whole airplane can fit inside it.

“Wet and wild.”
Malaysia has a vast land area with jungles and mountains that house more than 200 species of mammals, 600 species of birds, and 14,500 species of flowering plants and trees.

“An aid for AIDS.”
Malaysia grows a rare type of tree that is reported to be able to cure AIDS. Scientists recently discovered that the Bintagor tree has properties that can be used to fight the virus. The Bintagor grows only in Sarawak.

“Journey to the center of the world.”
Malaysia may not literally be at the center of the planet but its geographical location is quite strategic. It is surrounded by Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, and the South China Sea.
Truly Malaysia is, in a way, at the very heart of Asia.

Visitors to Malaysia often include a stopover at Kuala Lumpur in their itineraries, but there are actually a few other worthwhile spots to visit nearby if you want to get a sense of the country’s culture with all the amenities of a modern setting. A mere 20 kilometres away from the capital, for example, is Bandar Sunway, which holds among other things one of the most popular water theme parks in Asia.

Sunway Pyramid Facade

That already tells you what sort of place it is, though. This is probably not the ideal place to visit if you seek a more rustic experience of Malaysia. This is a place where the Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon exists, where Pitbull and OneDirection have concerts, and where a shopping mall with more than four million square feet of retail space exists. …

Located in Sungai Pinang Kecil in Pangkor Island, the Sri Pathira Kali Amman Temple is known as the biggest and the only Hindu temple of any significance in the place. It is also recognized as one of the two Hindu temples in Malaysia that provide entry to the shrine of the Hindu goddess Kali, facing the sea. The entrance of the shrine fronting the sea is something quite uncommon, particularly on Hindu temples. The other temple is situated in Penang Island. Based on Hinduism, Kali, who shares the same image as Amman, is the wife of Lord Shiva. She is also known as the goddess of strength, protecting the people from evil, and her animal symbol is the lion.

Kali Amman Temple in Pangkor Island – Malaysia

The Kali Amman Temple in Pangkor Island, which is lead by the Paribalana Sabha, is a rather simple and austere single-celled shrine facing the sandy beach. It has minimalist architecture, with its towering Shikhara or the steeple of the temple and the temple hall. There are various deity statues inside and other sacred relics. It houses several traditional Indian artworks, architecture and sculpture. The temple head pujari is Venketaraman Sharma, a portly young man who finished his education in England and has done his priestly training in Chennai. The temple is a very important place for the Indian locals to have a place for worship. It is also the center of the annual Thaipusam celebration and the Kaliamman- Kuan Yin Festival where both Chinese and Indian devotees prepare for the celebration by performing their vows, worship and prayers in the temple. …

Situated on the east coast of Pulau Pangkor, the Fu Lin Kong Temple is the biggest Taoist temple in the island. There are a number of Chinese locals in Pangkor Island following Taoist teachings. The temple is the center of worship of Taoism in the island, the religion that follows the teachings of Lao Tze, a great Chinese philosopher. The temple is located in Sungai Pinang Besar village, at the bottom of Pangkor Hill. It is one of the most popular Chinese temples in Perak and every tourist visiting Pangkor should take a glimpse of the scenery and colorful landscapes surrounding the temple. Every year, more and more Chinese tourists visit and pray in the temple to acquire blessings from God. Other tourists from different countries also visit this famous temple because of the natural and beautiful surroundings that are ideal for photo activity.

Fu Lin Kong Temple in Pangkor Island – Malaysia

Looking from afar, the Fu Lin Kong Temple radiates tranquility, its serene image nestled against the rocky forest and tall pine trees. Before entering the temple, you will see large white rocks are beautifully arranged before it and the dense flora and fauna behind the temple that evoke nature at its most serene. The Chinese temple, which was just refurbished, is a must-visit place because of the several attractions found within the temple vicinity. It is brilliantly painted with gold, green and crimson and attractively decorated with crafted stone sculpture of sinuous dragons and Chinese deities. The architectural style of the temple is highly ornate, with Chinese architectural design. It is crowned with a pagoda-style roof. …

A Pangkor Island vacation won’t be complete without any knowledge of their medical services, health issues and common illnesses occurring in the island. Health information is very important, particularly for first-time visitors who never have had the actual experience of staying there. In terms of health in Pangkor Island, there are no major health threats in the area, except for dehydration, common colds and other minor illnesses that are very common in tropical countries.

Hospital Seri Manjung in Pangkor Island – Malaysia

Visitors from several American and African countries are required to show yellow fever vaccination certificate. This is required upon arrival from countries under Yellow Fever endemic zones and those infected areas, except for children below one year old. It is also recommended although not required to be vaccinated with Hepatitis A and DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus). Cholera, malaria and smallpox have largely been eradicated; yet, to be safe, it is better to apply some anti-mosquito cream or spray during early morning and late afternoon. Wear long sleeves to protect yourself during day periods where mosquitoes are active. Health in Pangkor Island is maintained by several health clinics including two Klinik Desa in Sungai Pinang Kecil and Teluk Kecial and Klinik Kesihatan in Pulau Pangkor. In case of serious emergencies, Hospital Seri Manjung in Perak is the best place as it is heavily sponsored by the government, having several advanced medical technologies to cater to grave illnesses and injuries. …

Locally known as Teluk Nipah, the stunning Nipah Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in Pangkor Island. The tranquility and cleanliness of Nipah beach are just the common reasons that separate it from other beaches in the island. Coral Bay is another separate beach although many people tend to forget that they are separated due to its proximity. This beach boasts stretches more than hundred meters of white sand and since it lies in a bay, the beach is quite secluded.

Nipah Bay in Pangkor Island – Malaysia

Located on the west coast of Pangkor Island, Nipah Bay has quite calmer water than other Pangkor beaches because of the surrounding land blocking the waves and strong winds. Hence, it is a perfect place for swimming and family picnicking. The clear turquoise water is warm and shallow, making it a very safe place for families and kids having fun at the beach. In fact, during low tide, people are able to wade across to Pulau Giam, the nearby island, around 100 meters away from the bay. The neighboring islands in front of the Teluk Nipah are Metangor and Giam Islands and these islands also brag of pristine beaches and raw nature. …

Located about a hundred meters from Nipah Bay, Giam Island is a popular spot every tourist should not miss when visiting Pangkor Island. It is one of the 2 popular smaller islands fronting Teluk Nipah that are known snorkeling stops. The other neighboring island is Mentangor Island. It is very popular for snorkeling and even picnicking for families.

Giam Island in Pangkor Island – Malaysia

Although Nipah Bay is very popular in Pangkor, the most beautiful beach can be found in the islands including Giam Island, which can be swum during high tide or can be crossed by foot during low tide. You can also charter a kayak to paddle out on both islands of Giam and Mentangor. Besides swimming and enjoying the beach, wading across the island during low tide is one of the most exciting activities you could and should try. When you’re on this activity, head off to Pasir Giam Beach in the morning where the tide is still ankle-level. Also, pay careful attention to the rising tides. Obviously, you don’t want to be stranded in Pulau Giam. There are a lot of tourists wading across so just check the crowd movement when it’s time to head back. While walking across, you’ll come across some stunning, colorful corals and aquatic life including seaweeds, sea cucumbers which are popularly sold in town for its healing properties and starfish. For nature lovers, it’s the perfect moment to snap some close shots of these creatures when the water level is still extremely low. …